Chicago, IL (AP) — Federal prosecutors recently made clear that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is a subject of a criminal investigation into influence peddling to benefit an energy utility. The question now is whether the Democrat and the nation’s longest serving statehouse speaker will actually be charged. Some legal experts say that signs from…
SPRINGFIELD, IL (AP) — Proposed plans for the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Illinois have shifted from “when” to “how.” Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker campaigned on the legalization issue and its corresponding tax revenue of as much as $1 billion a year. And Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is on board . Two key Democratic lawmakers, Sen.…
SPRINGFIELD, IL (AP) — Republicans who gained ground in the Illinois General Assembly two years ago with Gov. Bruce Rauner’s financial assistance have a tougher go of it this year.Rauner and his top backers showered more than $40 million on legislative races in 2016. Against a legislative district map drawn by Democrats, the GOP picked…
SPRINGFIELD, IL (AP) — The Latest on Illinois Republicans’ political rally at Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair (all times local): 4:30 p.m. Gov. Bruce Rauner has rallied Republicans at the Illinois State Fair by bashing Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and promising to make the GOP the “majority party.” The first-term Republican rounded…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – House Speaker Michael Madigan has canceled a scheduled an Illinois House session that was to vote on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a school funding bill. Madigan says he canceled Wednesday’s House session so that legislative leaders can continue negotiations on a compromise school funding bill. The override of an amendatory…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The top Democratic leaders in the Illinois Legislature say they will not attend a postelection meeting that Gov. Bruce Rauner called for Monday to discuss ending an epic budget standoff. Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan’s spokesman issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying a scheduling conflict would prevent Madigan from meeting with…
CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan says he has no idea why Republican state Rep. Ronald L. Sandack resigned over the weekend. Answering questions Wednesday at a Democratic National Convention breakfast in Philadelphia, Madigan said Democrats had no role in the cyberattacks Sandack cited in resigning. Sandack, from the Chicago suburb of Downers…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – House Speaker Michael Madigan has canceled a planned session for Wednesday. The Chicago Democrat released a statement Monday that legislative “working groups” continue meeting to discuss a solution to the yearlong budget stalemate. Madigan says both House and Senate members will meet again Tuesday for bipartisan talks on issues crucial to…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Gov. Bruce Rauner has criticized House Democrats again over canceling a session day while there’s no budget. But the Republican told reporters Wednesday calling lawmakers into special session would be a waste because House Speaker Michael Madigan says he doesn’t want to act on legislation. The General Assembly adjourned its spring session…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Votes would be asked to change the Illinois Constitution to declare that the state should be responsible for the majority of public school funding under a measure that advanced in the state House. Republicans on a House education panel that approved the proposal Monday were skeptical of the idea and say…